Americas release date revealed for Atlus published THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV

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Earlier this month we shared that Atlus would be publishing SNK Playmore’s THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV in the Americas. While we had a trailer, screens, and a fancy press release, what we did not have was a release date outside the “later in 2016” window. Now, the Atlus website lists August 23, 2016 as the game’s release date. So in another four months fans of the series will have the game in their hands, assuming you live in the Americas.

NIS America and Atlus no longer working together to release games in Europe

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MCV is reporting that publisher NIS America will no longer be distributing Japanese Atlus titles to Europe. The reason given is that since SEGA acquired Atlus, it has become harder for NIS America and Atlus to work together. All this comes from NIS America’s managing director Takuro Yamashita who cited the increasing difficulties. As such, Atlus titles will not be published in Europe by NIS America and vice versa for America. Past collaborations between the two companies include distributing games in the Persona series and Etrian Odyssey. Once we learn more we’ll be sure to share it. In the meantime, head over to MCV to read more comments from NIS America.

Atlus is handling Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE localization

TokyoMirageSessionsIt seems that some Nintendo fans aren’t too thrilled with Nintendo of America’s liberties when it comes to localization. Not only that, Nintendo of America has changed characters and/or removed content in the American versions of the recent Fire Emblem. If you were looking forward to the Nintendo Wii U Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem inspired Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, fear not! Nintendo has confirmed via Gematsu that Atlus was in charge of localizing Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE!

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE was localized by Atlus in a way that is consistent with the localization work they do on games they publish. It was a priority to ensure the game feels familiar and appeals to longtime Atlus fans. Any changes made to the in-game content were due to varying requirements and regulations in the many different territories Nintendo distributes its products.”

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is out now in Japan, will launch in North America and Europe on June 24th. Who here is picking up a copy of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE?

[Via: Gematsu]

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse coming to the Americas summer 2016

Atlus USA has just announced that Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final in Japan) will be releasing to the Americas this summer. The game is said to overlap with the original SMTIV, with the game’s story focusing on a Hunter cadet who gets killed by one of the demons wreaking havoc on post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Thankfully, the fallen Hunter is resurrected by the mysterious god Dagda and is set on a path that walks the line between good and evil. The game is set to hit Nintendo 3DS systems physically and digitally for $49.99/CA$64.99.

Check out the trailer above, and after the break check out the Atlus press release and some screenshots.

SNK PLAYMORE teams with ATLUS to bring THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV to the Americas

SNK PLAYMORE and Atlus U.S.A. have just announced that the two are joining forces to bring THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV to the Americas. The game is set to release exclusively to the Playstation 4 later this year. KOF XIV is most well known to fans as the game that brought the series from pixel art to 3D models, whether or not this is a good thing is up to you. Personally, it is just great to have confirmation that the game is heading our way. Atlus promises that KOF XIV will have vastly improved netcode for competitive level multiplayer to fully use the PS4’s online features.

After the break, check out the press release and screens of the upcoming game!

Note: Sega Games Co., Ltd. is Atlus’s parent company, however THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV is coming west thanks to ATLUS U.S.A. Confusing, I know, that’s just how corporations work. It’s like how Disney fan sites can news Star Wars stuff.

Etrian Odyssey V First Gameplay Footage Hits the Net

The upcoming Etrian Odyssey V: The End of the Long Myth just got a release date and it didn’t take long for Atlus to set up a live stream for the game, showing off the first in-game footage.

Etrian Odyssey V:End of the Long Myth is set to release in Japan on August 4, 2016; only on 3DS. No Western release have been announced yet. What do you guys think of the game? Looks like Etrian Odyssey to me and having more of that isn’t necessarily a bad thing!

[Source: Persona Central]

Etrian Odyssey V comes to Japan on August 4th

EOV-TREEAtlus has now let the cat out of the bag, confirming that Etrian Odyssey V will be coming to a Japanese Nintendo 3DS on August 4, 2016. The game will have four playable races including: Arslan (Human-type), Lunaria (Elf-type), Celian (Beast Ears), and Branii (Dwarf).

If that seems like too little choices for your character, don’t worry because Etrian Odyssey V  has over ten classes to correspond with the above races including:

  • Fencer (Arslan)
  • Dragoon (Arslan)
  • Cestus (Arslan)
  • Reaper (Arslan)
  • Necromancer (Lunaria)
  • Warlock (Lunaria)
  • Herbalist (Branii)
  • Shaman (Branii)
  • Masurao (Celian)
  • Hound (Celian)

The game is suppose to feature a better character creation system and more freedom when it comes to dungeon exploring. While the game will have a lot of voice acting, Etrian Odyssey V director Shigeo Komori has confirmed its possible to turn off voice acting if the player chooses.

[via: Siliconera]

 

Etrian Odyssey V listed as a 3DS title in latest Atlus survey

EOV-TREEEtrian Odyssey V was announced all the way back in November 2014, it seems like almost a lifetime ago! Lots of fans thought that maybe Etrian Odyssey V was getting canned, but it doesn’t seem that way if this Japanese Atlus survey is anything to go by. While they didn’t announce a platform for Etrian Odyssey V back in 2014, according to this survey it will be a Nintendo 3DS title, which isn’t surprising seeing as each Etrian Odyssey game has been available on Nintendo’s handheld systems.

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Atlus still has announced a release window for the game, but at this point it will be in development for longer than two years. Could this be a much bigger entry into the franchise? SEGA fans might want to know that the franchises’ soundtracks have been handled by Yuzo Koshiro (of Streets of Rage fame).

[Source: Gemastu]

SEGA in the Charts: Media Create Feb 08 – Feb 14, 2016

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This week saw two major releases from SEGA hitting the Japanese charts in the form of Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final and Valkyria Chronicles Remastered. With no major competition this week and with Yakuza: Kiwami still fresh in the charts, SEGA had a real chance of being the top publisher in the top 20 this week with the closet rival being Square and their Dragon Quest Builders title. Hit the jump after to read how the sequel to Shin Megami Tensei IV did and if SEGA managed to take the top spot in publisher marketshare.

Atlus has ‘several unannounced titles for 2016’

newipgamesatlusIn an interview this week Atlus CEO, Naoto Hiraoka told Famitsu of the company’s plans for 2016 and beyond:

“In 2015, we were able to develop existing IP like Persona 4: Dancing All Night and Etrian Mystery Dungeon. In 2016, starting with Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir, we plan to release a large number of titles. In the summer, we’ll launch the long-awaited Persona 5. Of course, in addition to that we have several unannounced titles. I have no doubt this will be a year Atlus’ popular series all gather together.”

Exciting news! So what do we already know about Atlus’ line up in 2016? So far they have the following games set to release: Odin Sphere Leifdrasir , Persona 5, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final, and Etrian Odyssey V. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say there might be more Persona and Shin Megami Tensai spin-offs in the works. What I am hoping for? Catherine 2!

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Odin Sphere Leifthrasir hits North American shores on June 7th

osl-storybook-editionAtlus has just announced that Odin Sphere Leifthrasir will launch for Playstation 4, Playstation 3, and Playstation Vita in North America on June 7, 2015. This means it will come out a mere 5 months after it hits Japan.

The standard package will include a 64-page softcover art book, which will come with all regular first print copies of the game. A hardcover version will come exclusively to the Playstation 4 as the “Storybook Edition” which is a premium version that will include a Potion Recipe t-shirt, metal slipcase, art print, and premium outer packaging (see photo above).

The standard game will cost you $59.99 on consoles, $39.99 on Playstation Vita. The Storybook Edition on Playstation 4 will run you $79.99. If you haven’t played Odin Sphere before, I suggest giving it a try, especially when the Japanese demo hits North American PSN.

Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir demo now out for Japanese PSN users

OdinSphereDemoVerDo you have a Playstation 4, Playstation 3 and/or Playstation Vita? Guess what? You can now download the demo for Atlus and Vinalliaware’s remake of Odin Sphere (if you live in Japan or have a Japanese account)! Yeah, that great Playstation 2 game is now coming to all your current Sony consoles.

Seems that each version of the demo has a different file size, for example the PS4 demo weighs in at 442 MB, PS3 at 423 MB, and the PS Vita one at 250 MB.

The demo will allow you to play as all five characters though an action stage that has been configured for the demo and even have a boss battle with “Belial“. Sadly there won’t be any story parts and you won’t be able to use the demo data in the full release.

Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir comes out in Japan on January 14th and later this Spring in North America.

[Via: Gematsu]

SEGA and Atlus storm Metacritic’s best-reviewed 3DS games chart

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Metacritic have released their list of the 25 best reviewed 3DS titles of 2015 where SEGA and Atlus have swept the floor with the competition. Metacritic– for those who don’t know– compiles review scores from major video game critics to find the average score.

SEGA and Atlus boast almost half of the list with 12 of the 25 spots, including two of the highest rated games; 3D Streets of Rage II and 3D Gunstar Heroes both scoring a well deserved 89/100. (Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask 3D also scored 89.)
Also worth mentioning is SEGA and Atlus’ success on the PS Vita in 2015, where they claimed 5 of the top 25 best scoring games.
Unsurprisingly the duo didn’t fair so well on home console, having barely released anything for those systems 2015. Choosing to bump many of their games in 2016 for longer development cycles.

Hit the jump for the full list of 3DS titles in Metacritics 2015 highest scoring list..

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Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem gets new trailers and screenshots

Nintendo and Atlus have continued their partnership by showing off a couple of new trailers and screenshots for the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem crossover game (being tentatively titled Genei Ibun Roku #FE).

One of the new trailers (above) shows off Tsubasa Oribe, a new playable character created for this game. Honestly the Japanese trailer just left me with more questions, but I guess its nice to see Oribe in a lot of different outfits?

The trailer after the jump shows off side stories from the upcoming game.

Review: The Legend of Legacy (3DS)

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The Legend of Legacy piqued my interest when I heard that the team behind the game (Furyu) was billing the title as a spiritual sequel to the SaGa series of games, a series of RPGs that I played many moons ago. Did I enjoy them? Hard to tell since I was quite young when I played them but the name always stuck with me over the years. I  was excited to start this long RPG trip and ready to see if the game will live up to its ‘Legacy’ namesake. Well, does it? One way to find out…